Dark circles can impact your appearance, making you look tired and much older than you are. Oftentimes people assume that dark circles indicate a poor night’s sleep. However, they can be caused by a variety of factors, including age. You may wonder, why does aging cause dark circles? Below you will find helpful information on dark circles and aging, in addition to effective treatment options.
Why Does Aging Cause Dark Circles?
While poor sleep is often the first assumption for the cause of dark circles, there are a number of additional causes, including aging. Consider the following if you have persistent dark circles under your eyes.
Aging:
As you age, your skin becomes thinner and this is especially true when it comes to the skin around your eyes. Your skin’s elasticity also diminishes due to the decrease in production of collagen and elastin. Because of this, the dark blood vessels underneath your eyes become more prominent as there is less fat, collagen, and elastin to plump it up and maintain their natural color. While you cannot slow down the aging process, you can focus on minimizing the amount of skin damage you have through living a healthy lifestyle. This includes avoiding smoking, excessive drinking, regularly exercising, and eating a balanced diet.
Dehydration:
Drinking enough water each day is important for a number of reasons. The impact of it on your body can be minor or major, depending on the severity of your dehydration. One of the impacts of dehydration that affects your skin is dark circles under your eyes. The skin beneath your eyes can look dull and sunken in. Every person is different, but try and drink at least 8 glasses of water each day to stay hydrated and free from dark circles.
Sun Exposure:
Overexposure to the sun can cause an overproduction of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that colors your skin after you have been in the sun. If you are exposed to too much sun it can cause pigmentation around your eyes making them look darker. Wear at least SPF 30 on a daily basis and use protective eyewear when outside.
Eye Strain:
With the advancements in technology at work and home, people spend hours each day on various screens. From watching television and using your phone to working on your computer, the amount of time spent on screens has increased dramatically over the last decade or two. Excess screen time can cause eye strain which can cause the blood vessels around your eyes to become enlarged. This results in dark circles under your eyes.
Reduce your screen time as much as possible and use the 20/20/20 rule to help reduce the impact of eye strain. The 20/20/20 rule states that you should look away from your screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at an object at least 20 feet away (preferably something outside).
Genetics:
If you have a number of close family members who have dark circles under their eyes it may be genetic. Family history can play a role in whether you have dark circles. If you are unsure of the cause of your dark circles, consult with a skilled oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.
Dark Circle Treatment
If you are unhappy with your dark circles and are considering treatment options, under eye bags surgery in Beverly Hills is a highly effective treatment option. It provides you with natural-looking, youthful eyes that completely rejuvenate your appearance. Patients who have had the procedure report an increase in self-confidence due to the major benefits. Contact Taban MD Oculoplastic Surgery today to set up a consultation!